Passenger-operated boat



E. J. PIERACCIONI rr PIERAC 2685279 Aug. 3 1954 PASSENGER-OPERATED BOAT4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Nov. 16, 1950 Au g. 3, 1954 E. J. PIERACCIONI DITPIERAC 2685,27!)

PASSENGR-OPERATED BOAT F'iled Nov. 16, 1950 4 SheetsSheet 2 E. J.PIERACCIONI DIT PIERAC Aug. 3, 1954 PASSENGER-OPERATED BOAT 4Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Nov. 16, 1959 8 1954 E. J. PIERACCIONI DIT PIERAC 2PASSENGER-OPERATED BOAT Filed NOV. 1.6, 1950 4 SheetsSheet Patenten]Aug. 3, 1954 PASSENGER-OPERATED BOAT Eugene J. Pieraeciom assignor te0000 Ri I corporation of Puerto Ri dit Pierac, Santurce. P. R. nc.Santurce, P. R. a 00 Application November 16, 1950, Serial Ne. 195,998

Claims.

This invention relates to a pleasure beat propelled by means operated byat least one of the passengers through a system of pedal actuated paddlemeans carried by endless belts. More especially the invention relates tea pleasure beat having a pair of fleats er hulls of the well knowncatamaran type.

One important object of the invention is te provide a beat of thischaracter wherein the user may propel the beat with a minimum of eifert.

A secend important object of this invention is to provide a constructionin such a beat as will aiord the user the greatest possible comfort andthus fully enjoy operation of the beat.

A third important object of the invention is te provide a nevelconstruction of the hulls of such a beat.

A fourth important object of the invention is te provide nevel means forpreventing damage te the hulls of such a beat.

A fifth important object of the invention is te provide a nevel frame erchassis connecting the hulls of the beat.

A sixth important object of the invention is to provide an improvedarrangement of body and means to support the same in such a beat.

A seventh important object of the invention is to provide an improvedform of paddle arrangement for the beat whereby less of the propellingeffect of the paddles on the water engaged therby is prevented.

An eighth important object of the invention is to provide a nevel pedaloperated driving means for the paddles of such a beat.

Another important object of the invention is to provide a nevel andadjustable seat arrange-- ment in such a beat whereby comfort of theusers is assured.

With the above and other objects in view, as will be presently apparent,the invention consists in general of certan nevel details ofconstruction and combination of parts herenafter fully described,illustrated in the accompanying drawings, and partioularly claimed.

In the drawings like characters of reference indicate like parts in theseveral views, and

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the complete boat;

Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the beat with certain parts breken awaybetter te illustrate the invention;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged detail section on the line 3-3 of Fg. 2;

Fig. 4 is a section on the line 4-4 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a section on the line 5-5 of Fig. 4, showing the means forconnecting the sections of one of the hulls;

Fie. 6 is a section on line 6 of Fig. 2, showing the cushioning meansuseci at the ends of the hulls;

Fig. 7 is a perspective view of one of the beat seats, showing the meansfor adjusting the seat frame;

Fig. 8 is a detailed section on line 8-8 of Fig. 1.

In the construction of the beat in accordance with this invention thereis provided a pair of hulls eaoh having a cylindrical tubular middlesection 19 whieh is open at beth ends, anda hollow forward section lland hollow after section I2 of conoidal form. The major ends of thesections ll and 12 are of equal diameter with the ends of the section10. In order to secure the sections of each hu1l together there isprovided fer each joint a sleeve I3 which fits snugly in the abuttingends of the sections and is then secured as by the blind riveting I4. Atone of its ends the sleeve is provided with a closure I5 dividing thehull member into three compartments which are rendered watertight bypacking I6 carried in a circumferential groeve formeel exteriorly of thesleeve.

The abutting end of each of the sections II and I2 is c1esed by a plate|1 having a peripheral flange I 8 formed te fit closely within thesection. Mounted en each end of each hull is a hollow bumper er shockabsorber I9, preferabiy formed of stifi but flexible rubber and shapedte form a rounded centinuation of the hull shape. Aeross the bumper I9extends a transverse brace 20 wherein is screwed the threaded end of abolt '2l whieh passes through a suitable opening in the plate 11 andthus secures the bumper firmly in place. Aleng the bottom of each hullare seeured spaced brackets 22 wherete is secured a keel strip 23 whic hstrengthens the huil and assists in preventing damage and pessiblefloeding.

The two hulls are connected by tie-bars 24 which extend between thehulls and termin'ate at their ends in arcuate portions. One arm of eachareuate portion extends upwardly and around the respective hull te lieacross the top thereof, this arm being indicated at 25'. This arm, forpurposes te be presently described has a flat top. Each arcuate pertionalso has a lewer arm 26 which extends downwardly from the respectivetie-bar 24 and bears against the inbeard side of the hull. Preferablythese tie-bars are lecated at the junction of the middle portion of thehun with the end portion, In order tion 26. On the threaded portion ofthe angle 225 are provideel the nuts 2 ancl 28, the letter beingpreferably a hand operated nut.

Supported by the tie-bars 24 between the hulls is a body 29. At eachside of this body is a running board 35 which the arcuate part of thetie-bar at 25. With this arrangement the hand operated nuts 28 serve toheld the running boards 30 securely in place. The body 25 is providedwith a bottom 31 having rests on the fiat portions of a belt openin 32adiacent eaeh end. Between these belt openings there is provided aninverted channel member 33. At the forward end of this channel member islocated a orwarol transverse shaft 34 while at the after end is smlarlylocated an after transverse shaft 35. The for ward transverse shaft issupported from the bottom 31 by means of brackets 36 having their lowerend. slotted as at 3? so that this shaft 3, while prevented frornvertical movement has a eertain freeclom to slide toward and from theadjacent tie-bar. The shaft is similarly supported in brackets 35 but itis not necessary that these brackets should be slotted though this maybe done if found. desrable. On each of the shafts 34 and 35 is ixedlymounted a set of belt pulleys 39 whch are preferably provided withsubstantially V-shaped peripheral grooves. In these grooves is supporteda set of belts 4G which are corresponclingly shaped to snit the groovesin the pulleys. The lower run of each belt m extends through the channelmember 33 at a considerable distanoe upwardly of the lower edges of thischannel member. Each of the shafts 34-35 is journaled in a yoke il fromwhich a pull-bar 32 extends to pass through a suitable opening in theadjacent tie-bar. 0n the threaded end of each pull-rod 32 is mounted ahand nut 43 and by the rotaton of this nut in one directon 01 the otherthe tension of the belt may be regulated. Extending transversely of thebelts and attaehed to each of said belts is a series of paddles 44, thepaddles being preferably evenly spaced along the beits. These padolles44 have side wings 45 so that the paddles, in moving through water, tendto keep the water from spreading by reason of these side wings.Furthermore, the padclles extend from the beits to such an extent thatthey substantially divide the spaee be1ow the lower run of the belt tothe edges of the channel 33 into separate pockets from whieh the waterwill be held against escape to any appreeiable extent. Supported in thebody adjacent the forward end thereof is a transverse partition 46 whichcarries on its after side a set of triangular braekets 41 having at therafter ends journal bearings 13. In the journals 48 is a crank-shaft 45whereon are mounted pedals 50. The pedals for one operator are 180 fromeach other, while the pedals for the second operator ar spaced .9 iromthe first set of pedals. It is, therefore, clear that there are fourpedals on the crankshaft and that an operating force is applied for eachquarter revolution of the crankshaft. It may be stated that thecrankshaft or the crankshaft operating forces are at 90 from eachother.It may here be noted that this boat is intended for two passagers sothat this crankshaft is so formed as to permit rotaton by either or bothof the passengers. On the eranksnaft is fixed a pair of belt pulleys,termed for convenience driving pulleys 51. On the forward transverseshaft 34 is fixed a pair of driven pulleys 52 and the driving pulleysare operatively conneeted to the driven pulleys by belts 53. Slidablymounted on the floor 31 is a frame preferably of rod metal and havingframes 5=l whch are connected at their forward upper ende by atransverse member 55 and at their orward lower ends by a transversemember 56. Adjaeent each end of the lower member 56 is a sleeve 5l'having a slotted adjusting bar 58 extending aft-ward and a hand screw 59extends through the slot of this member 58 in to the bottom of the bodyso that when the screw 59 is screwed down the frame will be held againstmovement. 'he rear upper ends of the frame sdes 54% are eonnected by abar 59 braced at its center te the forward bar 55 by a bar 6%. The bar5%! is hollow and through this bar extencls a rod 61 whch supports thelower side members 62 of a frame back: having these side membersconnected t0 each other by a transverse rnember 63. Fixed to the 1owerframe is a plate 64% of substantially segmental form and this plate isprovided with a series of openings 65 adjacent its edge wherein isadapted to selectively engage a pin 55 carried by en arm 51 fixed to theframe side 52 By this means the back frame may be rockecl to any desiredangular relationship with the bottom frame and there held. In order toprovide for the comfort of those using this boat the seat proper isformeel of a strip of canvas or webbing 58, one end of which is engagedaround the transverse member 55 of the seat frame. With thisconstruction the occupants of the boat may lie in a cornfortablyreclining' position and may adjust the seat the most convenient distancefrom the crankshaft for ease in operating the latter.

'Ihe boat may, of course, be provded with any suitable steering gear tooperate a rudder 69.

It is now to be observed that this pleasure boat is so constructed andarranged that it may be operated by one or two persons with the greatestof ease, minimum loss of propulsive eiort, and. in perfectly comfortablepositon.

While one specific form of the invention has been here shown anddescribed, it is obvious that many minor changes may be made in the formand construction of the present boat without ma.- terially departingfrom the essential features thereof. t is not, therefore, desired toconfine the invention to the exact form herein shown ancl described, butit is wished to include all forms which properly corne within the shapeclaimed.

What is claimecl is:

1. In a boat eonstruction, a pair of twin hollow hulls each eonssting ofa mclship section,

' a forwarcl section, and an after seetion arranged in axal. alinement,sleeves fitting witnin said sectiens at the junction of the miclshi gsection and the remaining seetions and fixedly seeured at each sice ofthe respeetive junction, a closure for one en ei each sleeve diviclingthe huil into separate oompartments, and tie-bars extending athwartshipsbetween saicl hulls and seeured at their ende thereto, eaeh of saidtie-bars having areuate ends inelucling en arm extending up- Wardly anclacross the top of a respeetive huil and a second arm extendingdownwardly of said hull, an angle member secured to the respeotiveclosure with one leg extending upwardly and the other laterally in aninboard direction, the legs having ends extenolng through the walls ofthe respeetive sleeve and hull, and through said arme, and seouringelements on the projeeting portion of said arrns.

2. In a boat oonstruction, a pair of twin hollow hulls each consistingof a 1nidship seotion, a

forward secton, and an after section arranged in axial alinernent,sleeves fitting within said sec tions at the junotion of the miclshipseotion and the remaining seotions and fixedly secured at each side ofthe respective junction, a closure for one end of each sleeve dividingthe hull into separate compartments, and tie-bars extending athwartshpsbetween said hulls and secured at their ende thereto, each of saidtie-bars having arcuate ends including an arm extendng upwardly andacross the top of a respeetive huil and a second arm extendingdownwarclly of said huil, an angle member secured to the respectiveclosure with one leg extending upwardly and the other laterally in aninboard direotion, the legs having projecting ends extending through thewalls of the respeotive sleeve and huil, and. through said arms,seouring elements on the projecting portion of said arms, a bodysupported on said tie-bars between said hulls, and running boardsextending from the sides of said body over the hulls, the projectingends of said upright legs extending through said running boarcls andsaid seeuring elements engaging the upper surlace of said boards.

3. In a boat construction, a pair of twin hulls, tie-bars extendingbetween said hulls and se cured thereto to holcl the hulls in parallelrelation, a body supported on said tie-bars between said hulls, saidbody having a bottom provided with a pair of spaced parallel beltopenings, an inverted channel member extendng between said beltopenings, transverse shafts supported in said body, belt pulleys fixedon said shafts, beits extending around said pulleys, the lower run ofsaid belts extendng through said channel adjacent the bottom of thebody, transversely extendin-g paddles fixed to said belts in spacedrelation therealong, yokes in which said transverse shaits arerespectively journalled, pull rods each extencling through the center ofa respective yoke and a respective tie-bar, manually operable securingelements on said pull I0ds fo1 adjusting the tenson of said belts, and.means to move said pulleys.

4. In a boat construction, a pair of twin hulls, tie-bars extendingbetween said hulls and secured thereto to hold the hulls in parallelrelation, a body supported on said tie-bars between said hulls, said.body having a bottom provided with a pair of spaced parallel beltopenings, an inverted channel member extending between said beltopenings, transverse shafts supported in said body, belt pulleys fixedon said shaits, belts extending around said pulleys, the lower run ofsaid belts extending through said channel adjacent the bottom of thebody, transversely extenoling paddles fixed to said belts in spacedrelation therealong, yokes in which said transverse shafts arerespeotively journalled, pull rode each extendng through the center of arespective yoke and a respective tie-bar, manually operable securingelements on said pull rods for adjusting the tenson of said belts,upright brackets supported in the forward end of the body and havngjournal bearings at their af.ter ends, a crank shaft journalled in saidbearings, pedals on said crank shaft, a driving pulley fixed on saidcrank shaft, a clriven pulley fixed on the forward transverse shaft, anda belt trained around said driving and driven pulleys.

5. In a boat construction, a pair of twin hol- 10W hulls each consistingof a miclship section, a forwarcl section and. an alter section, sleevesfitting within said sections and fixeolly secured therein, a elosure forone end of each sleeve dividing the huil into separate compartments, andtie-bars extending athwartships between said hulls and secured at theirends thereto, each of said te-bars having ends including an armextending upwardly and across the top of a respeotive huil and a secondarm extencling downwardly of said hulls, an angle member secured to therespective closure with one leg extencling upwardly and the otherlaterally in an inboard. clirection, the legs having ends extendingthrough the walls of the respeotive sleeves and hulls and through saidarms, and securing elements on the projecting portions of said arms.

6. In a boat construction, a pair of twin hollow hulls each consisting.of a miclship section, a forwarcl seetion and an after section, sleevesfitting within said sections and fixedly secured therein, a closure forone end of each sleeve divicling the huil into separate compartments,tie bars extenoling athwartship between said hulls and secured at theirende thereto, each of said tie bars having ende including an armextencling upwardly and across the top of a respective huil and a secondarm extending downwardly of said hulls, an angle member secured to therespectve closure with one leg extending upwardly and the otherlaterally in an inboard directon, the legs having projecting endsextencling through the walls of the respective sleeves and hulls andthrough said arme, securing elements on the projeoting portions of saidarms, a body supported on said te bars, and runing boards extenclingover the hulls, the projecting ende of said upright legs extendingthrough said running boards and. said securing elements engaging theupper surface of said boards.

7. In a boat construction, a pair of twin hulls, tie bars extendingbetween said hulls and secured thereto, a body supported on said tiebars, said body having a bottom provided with a pair of spaced parallelbelt openings, an inverted channel member extending between said beltopenings, transverse shafts supported in said body, belt pulleys fixedon said shafts, belts extenoling around said pulleys, the lower run ofsaid beits extendng through said channel adjaeent the bottom of thebody, transversely extending paddles fixed to said belts, yokes in whichsaid transverse shafts are respectively journaled, pull rods eachextending through the center of a respectve yoke and a respeotive tiebar, manually operable means on said pull rode or adjusting the tensionof said belts, and means to move said pulleys.

8. In a boat construction, a pair of twin hulls, tie bars extendingbetween said hulls and secured thereto, a body supported on said tiebars, said body having a bottom provided with a pair of spaced parallelbelt openings, an inverted channel member extending between said beltopenings, transverse shafts supported in said body, belt pulleys fixedon said shafts, belts extendng around said pulleys, the lower 1un of sadbe1ts extendng through sad channel adjacent the bottom of the body,transversely extendng paddles fixed te sad be1ts, yokes in whch sadtransverse shafts are. respectively journaled, pull rods each extendngthrough the center 0 a respective yoke and a respectve te bar, manuallyoperable means on sad pull rods for adjustngthe tenson of sad be1ts, andmeans to move sad pulleys, uprgnt brackets supported in the orward end.of the body and havng iournal bearngs at ther after ends, a crankshaftjournaled in sad bearngs, peda1s on sad erankshafts, and belt and puleymeans connecting sad crankshaft to sad transverse shaft.

9. In a beat construction, a plurality of hul1s each consstng of apluraty of sectons, sleeves fitting wthin sad sectons and. fxed1ysecured theren, a c1osure or one end of each sleeve dvdng the hul1 intoseparate compartments,

and te bars extendng athwartshps between said hu11s and securedat therends thereto, each of sad te bars havng ends ncluding en arm extendngupwardly and across thettopof a tespective hun and a. second:armextendng downwardly of sad hu1ls, an ang1e member secured to therespeetve closure wth one leg. extending upwardly and the otherlaterally in an nboard directon, the 1egs havng endsextendng through thewals of the GSDBCJV:SGGVES ancl hul1s and through sad arme, and securingelements on the projectng portions of sa.d arms- 10. In a boatconstructon, a plurality of hu1ls each conssting of a pluralty ofsectons, s1eeves fitting within said sectons and fixedly secured theren,a closure for one end of each sleeve dvdng the hu11 nto separatecompartments, and tie bars extendng athwartshps between sad hu1s andsecured at ther ends thereto, an angle member securecl to the respectvec1osure wth one leg extendng upwardy and the other lateraly in aninboard drecton, the legs having ends extendng through the wa11s of therespectve sleeves and hu11s and through said te bars, and seeurngelements en sad te bars.

Reerences Cited in the file of this patent UNI'IED STA'IES PATEN'ISNumber Name Date 1047758 Dam Dec. '17, 1912 1,051,833 Durand Jan. 28,1913 1,93,196 Lombard Apr. 14, 1914 1,190569 Maxwell July 11, 19161,Z'15,312 Stee1e May 28, 1929 1,731,492 I-aase Oct. 15, 1929 2263,911Wison Nov. 25, 1941 2401,453 Be11 et al. June 4, 1946 FOREIGN PATENTSNumber Country Date 186,139 Swtzerland Nev. 16, 1936

